Combined fire-alarm and watchman&#39;s service signal system.



A. W. HIICHCOCK. COMBINED FIRE ALARM AND WATCHMANS SERVICE SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED IULY26. I9I6.

Patented Feb. '3, 19 19.

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COMBINED FIRE ALARM AND WATCHMANS SERVICE SIGNAL SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED IULY26. I9I6- 1,295,02. Patented Feb. 25, 1919.

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COMBINED FIRE ALARM AND WATCHMANS SERVICE SIGNAL SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED JULY 2a. 1916.

1,295,502. Patented Feb. 25, 1919.

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APPLICATION'HLED JULY 26. I916.

Patented Feb. 20, 1919.

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liiii T m b w g QR km mm mm UTE STA FATE ALBERT WHITE HITCHCOCK, or HINSDALE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR To WRsTIiRN ELEC- TRIC COMPANY, INCORPORATED, or NEW YORK, N. r, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

COMBINED FIRE-ALARM AND WATCHMANS SERVICE SIGNAL SYSTEM.

To all whom it may concern: 1 Be it known that I, ALBERT WHITE 'HITOHCOOK, a citizen of the United States,

residing at Hinsdale, in the county of Dupage and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Fire-Alarm and Watchmens Service Signal System, of which the following is afull, clear, concise, and exact description. 1

This invention relates to a combined fire alarm and watchmans service signal system, and more particularly to a system of this kind in which the code signaling mechanism in the signal boxes may be readily switched from the fire alarm circuit to the watchmans circuit, and vice versa, without in any way interfering with the operation of these two circuits. One of the objects of this invention is to produce an eflicient system of thiskind in which a watchman may send in a fire alarm or a watchmans report from any one of the signal boxes of the system and in which telephone communication may Q be readily had by the watchman from-any one of the a printing wheel 16. Th s printing wheel stations to the central ofii'ce.

Another object of the invention resides in means for switching the code signaling mechanism, used in transmitting signals for registration at the centralv office and provided at each of the stations, from either the fire alarm circuit to the watchmans circuit, or vice versa, and to accomplish this without interference between the fire alarm and the watchmans report signals.

A further object of the invention, consists in means for notifying the central oflice if the watchman fails to register at certain pre determined time intervals.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the appended claims.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a watchmanscentral station register;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view thereof; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of one of the signal boxes showing control of the code wheel mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on plane 4.4, Fig. 3;

Specification of Letters Patent Patented Edith. 25, 19198 Application filed July 26, 1916. Serial N0. 111,382.

Fig. 5 shows a circuit diagram of the complete system, and

Fig. 6 is a circuit diagram illustrating the wiring of a plurality of call stations, which tend upwardly two end walls 2 and 3.

Journaled in these walls is a shaft 4 in which, is cut right andleft threads 5'and 6,-

the threads being connected at their right ends by the cross slot 7 and a similar slot connects the threads at their left ends. A sleeve 8 which has a feather for engaging in .the threads is journaled on this shaft. The sleeve is held against rotation by a guide collar 10 extending therefrom which slides on a guide shaft 11. Mounted on the sleeve 8 is the electro-magnet 12 whose armature 13 is secured to the bell cranklever 14 pivoted at 15 and mounting at its upper end travels below a paper 'supp'ortin roll 17 which is mounted on the shaft 18 ournaled in the ends 2 and 3 above the screw shaft. -When the screw shaft is rotated the sleeve 8 is shifted to the right and back'again, and as the electro-magnet 12 is energized'in accordance with code signals the printing wheel 16 is repeatedly raised against the paper to print thereon. Suitable inking mechanism (not shown) maybe provided for the printing wheel. A second paper supporting roll may be mounted parallel with roll 17 from which the paper could be fed to said roll 17.

Just outside of the end wall 2 a worm wheel 19 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 1' and the outer end ofits hub has clutch. teeth 20. Keyed tothescrew shaft but longitudinally shiftable thereon is the clutch block 21 which has clutch teeth cooperating with the clutch teeth of the worm wheeL. In a bracket 23 secured to the end wall 2 above the worm wheel is journaled a shaft 24 which supports the worm 25 which meshes with the worm wheel 19, and this shaft is connected with a driving source, preferably an electric motor M. Adjacent to the end of shaft 4 the frame 26 supports the vertical electro-magnet 27 Secured to the armature 28 of this electro-magnet is the bell crank lever 29 which is pivoted at its elbow to the base 1, the other end of the lever being forked and having pins 30 extending into the slot 31 in the clutch block 21. A spring 32 normally forces the clutch block away from the worm wheel and holds the armature away from the cores of the magnet 27. However, when the magnet is energized its armature is drawn up and the lever 29 is rotated to shift the clutch block to bring its teeth into register with the teeth of the worm wheel and then rotation of the shaft 24 is transmitted through the worm and worm wheel and through the clutch to the shaft 4.

At the right end of the machine below the paper roll is a time printer 33 adapted to be raised and lowered by the electro-magnet- 34 and which carries printing wheels for printing the time on the paper. Electromagnet 35 has mechanical connection with the printing mechanism to set the printing wheels in accordance with the time, the electrical circuit for the electro-magnet 35 being controlled by a clock. Below the shaft 4 and rearwardly thereof the shaft 36 is journaled in the end wall 2 and in the bracket 37 rising from the base 1, and this shaft has the gear threads 38 meshing with the worm gear 39 mounted on the vertical shaft 40. The outer end of the shaft 36 carries a pinion 41 which meshes with the gear 42 secured to the worm wheel 19 to turn only when theworm wheel turns. The shaft 40 is threaded and is surrounded by a collar 43 having the diametrical slot 44 therethrough which has threaded engagement only at its end 45 with the shaft 40. The collar is supported on a spring arm 46 pivoted for vertical swing at 47. The spring arm tends to hold the collar with its threaded slot end 45 against the shaft 40 so that when the shaft is rotated the collar will be shifted .upwardly. Above the collar circuit terminal springs 48 and 49 are supported from a bracket 50, these contact springs being-normally out of electrical engagement and connected only when the collar reaches the top of the shaft 40. When the printer frame 8 reaches the right end of the machine an arm 51 thereon engages the collar 43 and shifts it rearwardly to withdraw the threaded end of its slot from the shaft 40 whereupon the collar drops to be restored by spring 46 into threaded engagement with the shaft 40 after the arm 51 leaves the collar during return movement of the printer frame. The purpose of this arrangement in the system will be disclosed later.

Provision is also made to rotate the paper roll 17 after each cotiperation therewith by the signal printing mechanism. As shown, the roller shaft 18 carries the ratchet 52. A pawl 53 coiiperates with this ratchet wheel and is pivoted on the longitudinally shiftable rod 54 which is normally held down by a spring 55. A wedge 56 carried by the printer frame 8 engages the inclined lower end 57 of the rod when the printer frame reaches its normal position at the left end of the machine and raises the rod to cause the pawl 53 to engage with the ratchet wheel 52 to rotationally advance the paper;

On the base 1 below the left end of the screw shaft 4 the contact springs 58 and 59 are mounted. When the printer frame 8 is in normal position, in which position it is slightly removed from the left end of the screw shaft, it engages with the spring 58 and holds it away from the spring 59. Below the right end of the screw shaft and below the printer frame 8 is a spring 60 which when engaged by the printer frame in its travel toward the right is bent into contact with the spring 61, these springs controlling the circuit for the time printer electro-n1agnet 34. Extending longitudinally along opposite sides of the shaft 11 are the circuit bars 62 and 63 which are insulated from the shaft and are engaged respectively by the springs 64 and 65 supported on and insulated from the collar 10 which extends from the printer frame 8; these springs 64 and 65 being connected with the terminals of the electro-magnet 12.

In Figs. 3 and 4 the arrangement for corn trolling the operation of the code wheel mechanism in the signal box is shown. In the signal box 67 is the cabinet 68 in which the code wheel 69 is mounted on the shaft 70. A pinion 71 on this shaft meshes with the gear wheel 72 on the shaft 73 from which extends the crank 74. The contact pen 7 5 is normally in contact with the spring 7 6 and when the code wheel turns the code teeth 77 engage successively with the pen and disconnect it from the spring 76 in accordance with the code signal. The box 67 has the door 7 8 whose opening 79 is closed by a glass 80. A U-shaped rod 81 has one limb slidable through the lugs 82 on the cabinet 68, the spring 83 engaging between the inner lug 82 and the collar 84 tending to shift the rod outwardly, such outward shift, however, being normally prevented by the engagement of the door with the rod so that normally the inner end of the rod is held out of the path of the crank 74. However, when the door is opened and released from the rod the spring shifts the rod outwardly and carries its inner end below the crank 74 so that the crank can be rotated only suiiieiently to permit one rotation of the code wheel 69. When the glass 80 is broken the crank can be reached without opening the door and the rod 81 being held in its rear position, the crank can be depressed its entire distance to permit several revolutions of the code wheel and corresponding repetitions and coiiperations of the code teeth with the contact pen. The spring jack 85 and the push button 146 and buzzer 147 can be mounted at any suitable place inside'of the housing 67.

In Fig. 5 are shown the circuits connecting the signal box with the watchmans register and other central station mechanism. Besides the code wheel mechanism the signal box 67 contains a spring jack 85-, this spring jack having tip and ring springs 87 and 86 for receiving the plug 88 connected with a portable telephone set 89.

In accordance with this invention, the spring jack affords means for connecting the code wheel mechanism to control either a fire alarm circuit or a Watchmans register circuit, and the watchmans registering mechanism and the fire alarni signal receiving mechanism may be in the same central station or may be at different stations. To simplify the drawing, Fig. 5, only one combined fire alarm and watchmans service signal box .67 has been shown-thereon.

rangedto be connected to the circuit diagram illustrated in Fig. 5 along the dividing line AB, the combined drawing when thus interconnected forming a. complete circuit.

diagram of one central station and a plurality of call stations. To simplify the following detailed description of the operation of the system, the circuit showing but one call station, illustrated in Fig. 5, has been used for the purpose of this description. The detailed description hereinafter given-is readily applicable, however, to the combined circuits of Figs. 5 and 6, in which case the same circuit at the call station is duplicated through all such stations which are interposed between the particular calling station that is calling and the central olfice equipment.

For receiving and indicating the fire alarm signals a line relay 90 is provided, the circuit for-this relay being from one side of battery 91 through the spring ack contacts 93 "and 94 which are normalb in engage ment, to the code mechanism spring 75 and thence by way of contact pen 76 through the jack contacts 96 and 97, which are normally connected, to the coil of relay 90 and to the other side of the battery. The circuit just traced is normally closed so that relay 90 is normally energized and its armature pulled up. When the armature is released the following circuit is closed: from one side of phone set is out of the spring jack the fire alarm system is operative and when the code wheel mechanism is depressed the code wheel will revolve and the circuit for relay 90 will be opened and closed in accordance with the code signal, and the code signal will be visually indicated on the printer and sounded on the gong. To send in an alarm of fire the signal .box 67' is not opened but the glass is broken and the crank'depressed its full distance.

For controlling the circuit for the watchmans register a relay 110 is provided, the circuit for this relay being normally as follows: from one side of battery 111 to and throughthe coil of relay 110 and thence by way of the tip spring 87 of the spring jack '-to.the spring jack contact 115 normally in contact with the tip spring, the telephone 117, and back to battery. The telephone 117 is located at .the watchmans central station. It will be noted that. the circuit just traced does not include the code wheel contacts. However, when the signal box door is open and the plug 88 of the portable telephone set is inserted in the spring jack, the code wheel contacts will be included in circuit, this circuit being traceable from battery 111 to the coil of relay 110 and by way of the tip spring 87 of the jack, the plug 88 and telephone set 89 to the ring spring 86 of the jack and thence through the code wheel springs 76 and 75, the spring jack contacts 120 and 115,

which come into engagementwhen'the tip spring is released from the spring 115, and the telephone 117, back to the battery. It will also be noted that when the plug 88 is inserted in the spring jack, the code Wheel contacts are cut out of the fire alarm circuit and the .fire alarm circuit instead of being then closed through the code wheel springs will be closed through jack springs 97 and 121. The insertion of the plug 88 into the telephone jack 85 causes the closure ofthe contact between springs 97 and 121 of the Jack before the contact between springs 95 and 96 isbrokem-and hence the fire alarm circuit is not opened by the insertion of plug 88. Likewise when the plug 88 is withdrawn from the jack, the contact between springs 87 and 115 is closed before the contact between springs 120 and 115 is opened, and "hence neither circuit is disturbed by the insertlon or withdrawal of the plug.

. After the watchman opens the signal box door and inserts the plug of the portable telephone he can immediately get intote1e- &

phonic communication with the central station, or he can first pull down the code wheel crank as far as it is permitted by the rod 81 which shifts forwardly-to block the crank when the door is opened. If he pulls the crank then, one round of the code impulses will be manifested on relay 110, and this relay primarily controls the starting electromagnet of the watchmansregister. The electro-magnet circuit extends from one side of battery 103 through the relay contact and armature, the winding of electro-magnet 27, and back to the other side of battery. At the first opening of the circuit for relay 110 its armature Wlll drop back and close the circuit for relay 27, and the clutch block 21 will be shifted against the worm wheel 19 to couple the worm wheel to the screw shaft 4 so that the printer magnet structure 8 will be started on its travel toward the right of the watchmans register. During operation of the code wheel the circuit for relay 110 will be repeatedly opened and closed and provision is made to prevent opening of the watchmans register operating magnet circuit after the first closure thereof in order that the screw shaft will be continuously driven during the operation of the code wheel. An independent circuit is therefore provided for the electro-magnet 27 to be closed immediately upon starting of the printer magnet structure'when the clutch magnet is first energized. The contacts 58 and 59 control this circuit and they in turn are controlled by the finger 59. In the normal position of the sleeve 8 the finger 59 rests at the end of the spring 58, thus hold ing the springs 58 and 59 apart. The slightest movement forward of the sleeve 8 releases the spring 58 and thus closes the contact between these two springs, which completes a circuit from battery 103 through contacts 59 and. 58, electro-magnet 27, and back to battery. Therefore, as the screw shaft begins to rotate this frame will be shifted and the contacts 58 and 59 will close before the code wheel has time to re-close the circuit through the relay 110, -and then the independent circuit will maintain the electro-magnet 27 energized until the printer has moved to the right of the register and back again and has completed its printing cotiperation with the record paper on the roll.

Relay 129 is provided at the central station for controlling the operation of the printer magnet 12, the winding of this relay being connected in parallel with winding of relay 110. The circuit for the winding of magnet 12 is as follows: from one side of itrattery through the contact and armature of relay 129, contact bar 63 and contact of the watchmans register, winding of the magnet 12, and back by way of contact spring 64 and contact bar 62 of the register to battery. The magnet 12 will be energized in accordance with the code arrangement on the code wheel and after starting of the magnet structure along the screw shaft, it will close the holding circuit for the electromagnet 27 and the printer structure will travel uniformly below the paper roller to properly space the code dashes thereon in accordance with the code signal. After the printer reaches the right end of the shaft it closes the contact between springs 60 and 61, and this completes a circuit that is traceable from battery 103 through the winding of the time stamp electro-magnet 34 and contacts 61 and 60, back to battery. Thus after the code signal has been printed on the record paper the time stamp is actuated and prints the time on the paper. The circuit for magnet 35 which is not shown and which is associated with the time stamp is controlled by a clock and this magnet periodically sets the time printing wheels and the time stamp in a manner well known in the art.

The watchman is allowed a certain time interval between box operations and provision is made for sounding a signal at the central station if the watchman does not pull the box within the allotted time. The circuit for this signal is controlled by the contacts 48 and 49 on the watchmans register. The pitch of the screw shaft 40 is such that the time required to raise the collar 43 from its bottom position to its top position when it closes contacts 48 and 49 is substantially equal to the time allotted the watchman between box pullings. After each pulling of the box the code printer structure travels to the right of the register to bring its arm 51 into engagement with the collar 43 to disengage the collar from the shaft to permit its dropping to the bottom of the shaft. The gear 42 which drives the screw shaft 36 for the worm wheel 39 is secured to the worm wheel 19 and is, therefore, always rotating when the motor M is running and whether or not the screw shaft 4 is being operated. Therefore, if a watchman, after once pulling the box, pulls it again Within the allotted time, the cam arm 51 of the printer will disengage the collar 43 from the screw shaft 40 before it reaches the top and closes the contacts 48 and 49, and the indicating circuit at the central station will not be closed. However, should he fail to pull the box within the allotted time, the collar will reach the top of the shaft and will close the contacts, which will close the indicating circuit, including in series a battery, a bell, buzzer or other audible or visible signal 143, and the contacts 49 and 48.

In the signal box 67 there is also a push button 146 and a. buzzer or bell 147, and at the central station there is the buzzer or bell or visible signal 148 and a push button or switch 149. If the watchman desires to memos communicate telephonically with the central station, he can do so either before or after.

' he has pulled the code wheel crank. The

plug being inserted in the spring jack, he presses the button 146, and closes a circuit, including in series the battery 150, the push button 146 and an indicating device 148. The central operator receiving the call answers through central station telephone 117. If the central station Wishes to call the watchman, button 149 is depressed and the series circuit, including the battery 150, the

push button 149, and the buzzer 14:7 in the signal box is closed. Such telephonic com- 'munication can be had at any time, either before or after the code wheel has been operated either for watchmans records or for fire alarm signaling. Usually after the box has been pulled for a fire alarm signal the Watchman will insert his plug in the spring jack and willgive further telephonic information with reference to the fire. In order to clear the line for good telephone trans mission, a condenser 157 is connected in parallel with the relays 110 and 129, the high frequency alternating telephone currents taking the path through the condenser. This telephone circuit may be traced from battery 111 through the oifice telephone 117 the conductorl57, jack spring 87, the connecting cord and plug 88 and its associated telephone set 89, and thence by way of jack breaking the glass at a signal box and pullout of the watchmans circuit.

ing the. crank down full distance, whereas the code wheel mechanism is normally out For awatchmans report during his rounds of the boxes, the box door is opened with a key and the plug is inserted in the spring jack. Upon pulling of the code crank the Watchman registers his call on the register and if desired he. may signal the central ofice by operating the push button 146, when he can talk to the central operator over the established telephone circuit. Insertion of the plug in the ]ack cuts the code wheel mechanism out of the fire alarm circuit and in series with the telephone circuit. If the watchmanfails to pull any box within the alllotted time limit, an indication thereof is given at the central station by any type of visual or audible signal.

Obviously this invention is not limited to the specific embodiment herein shown anddescribed, but is capable of many variations and applications without departing from its spirit and scope.

WVhat is claimed is: I

1. In a signaling and communicating system, the combination with a plurality of signal boxes, of switching means in each of said boxes, 2. code signal formulating mechanism in each of said boxes associated with said switching means, a fire alarm circuit interconnecting said boxes, a Watchmans signaling circuit interconnecting said boxes and including telephonic apparatus, said switching means normally connecting the code signal mechanism with one of said circuits, means including a telephone set cooperating 80 with said switching means to switch the code signal formulating mechanism into said other circuit, and a fire alarm signal receiving mechanism and watchmans signal receiving mechanism connected with the respective circuits.

2. In a signaling and communicating system, the combination with a normally closed vfire alarm circuit and a normally closed watchmans signaling circuit including telephonic apparatus, of'a plurality of signal boxes included in said circuits, a code signaling mechanism in each of. said'boxes included in oneof said circuits, and means including a telephone set associated with each of said boxes for switching said code signaling means from said circuit to the other circuit and to maintain each of said circuits closed during said switching.

3. In a signaling and communicating system, the combination with a normally closed fire alarm circuit and a normally closed watchmans signaling circuit including telephonic apparatus, of a plurality of signal .boxes included in said circuits, switching means in each of said boxes,a code signaling mechanism in each of said boxes, and means including a telephone set cooperating with said switching means to switch said code signaling means from one of said circuits to the other circuit and to maintain each of said circuits closed during said switching.

4:. In a signaling and communicating system, the combination with a normally closed fire alarm circuit and anormally closed'115 watchmans signaling circuit includlng telephonic apparatus, of a plurality of signaling boxes included in said circuits, a code signaling mechanism in each of said boxes, and means including a telephone set associated with each of said boxes for switching said code signaling mechanism from either one of said circuits to the other circuit and to maintain said circuits closed during said switching.

5. In a signaling system,

the combination with a fire alarm circuit and a watchmans signaling mechanism in each of said boxes,

means associated with each of said boxes for switching said code signaling mechanism from either one of said circuits to the other of said circuits, and means for momentarily short-circuiting said code signaling mechanism before said switching operation is consumm-ated.

6. In a signaling system, the combination with a plurality of signaling stations, of a central registering oflice, a fire alarm circuit and a Watchmans signaling circuit interconnecting said stations and said oflice, a code signaling means at each of said stations, a switching means associated with each of said stations, and means including a telephone set coiiperating with said switching means to switch said signaling means from one of said circuits to the other and to complete a telephone circuit from said stations to the central office.

7. In a signaling system, the combination with a signal box, of a spring jack in said box, code signal formulating mechanism within the box connected with spring jack contacts, a signaling circuit connected with spring jack contacts and extending from said box to a central station, said signaling circuit being normally closed by spring jack contacts independent of the code signal formulating mechanism, a plug adapted for insertion in said jack, telephone mechanism connected with contacts of said plug, insertion of said plug in the spring jack shifting sald spring jack contacts t include said signal formulating mechanism and said telephone mechanism in the signaling circuit, code signal receiving mechanism at the central station, and telephone mechanism at the central station connected with said circuit.

8. In a signaling system, the combination of a signal box, a spring jack in said box, code signaling mechanism in said box connected with contacts of said spring jack, a fire alarm circuit connected with said spring S- jack contacts and extending to a central exchange, a watchmans signaling circuit connected with said spring jack contacts and extending to a central exchange, the spring jack contacts being normally in position to a close the fire alarm circuits and to include the code signaling circuit therein and to close the w'atchmans signaling circuit independently of the code signaling mechanism, a plug adapted for insertion in said spring jack, a circuit connecting the plug contacts, insertion of the plug in said ack causing rearrangement of the jack contacts to close the fire alarm circuit independently of said code signaling mechanism and to include said code signaling mechanism and the plug circuit in the watchmans signaling circuit, fire alarm signal receiving mechanism at the central exchange and Watchmans signal receiving mechanism at the central exchange.

9. In a signaling system, the combination of a signal box, a spring jack in said box, code signal mechanism in said box connected with spring jack contacts, a fire alarm circuit connected with spring jack contacts and connected with a central exchange, a Watchmans signaling circuit connected with spring jack contacts and connected with a central exchange, said spring jack contacts being normally in position to close the fire alarm circuit and to include the code signaling mechanism therein and to' disconnect said code signaling mechanism from the watchmans signaling circuit, a plug for the spring jack, insertion of said plug causing rearrangement of the spring jack contacts to disconnect the code signaling mechanism from the fire alarm circuit and to connect it with the Watchmans signaling circuit, and fire alarm signal receiving mechanism and watchmans signal receiving mechanism connected with the respective circuits.

10. In a signaling system, the combination of a signal box, a spring jack in said box, code signal mechanism in the box connected with spring jack contacts, a fire alarm circuit extending from the box, a watchmans signaling circuit extending from the box, said spring jack mechanism being normally in condition to connect the code signal formulating mechanism with one of said circuits and to disconnect it from the other, a plug for the spring jack, insertion of said plug in said spring jack causing re-arrangement of contacts to disconnect the code signal formulating mechanism from the one circuit and to connect it with the other circuit, and fire alarm signal receiving mechanism and Watchmans signal receiving .mechanism connected With the respective circuits] In witness whereof, I hereunto. subscribe my name this 14th day of July A. D., 1916.,

ALBERT WHITE HITCHCOCK. 

